This Monday, I have no weekend food exploits to report. School has begun, summer is waning. Sigh.

Saturday, at home, we had a fun and messy summer dinner together of grilled king crab legs on the porch. It involved crab legs, rolls, corn, coleslaw, butter and not much else. A rare combination of easy and decadent.

Friday night was teriyaki grilled salmon, white rice, tofu and broccoli stir fry and pineapple sweet and spicy chicken meatballs.

The Chicken Meatball dish was an effort to offer a quick protein snack or dinner for my dancer daughter.

Asian Chicken Meatballs

• 1 pound of ground chicken

• 1 cauliflower shredded (in a blender with water and drained, or use food processor)

• 1 tsp ground ginger

• 1 tbs soy sauce

• 1 tbs sauce of your choice (sweet chili sauce works well)

• 1/2 cup coleslaw mix (shredded cabbage and carrots) or green onions, spinach or any shredded veggie can be added. You can also skip this addition.

• Mix in order to incorporate the cauliflower throughout.

• Form into small ball shapes.

• Pan Fry.[or bake if you prefer]

• Enjoy as a snack, a meatball slider or toss with additional sauce and vegetables for a dinner dish with rice or noodles.

Its gluten free, veggie filled, freezes well, versatile and tasty. It would be a good sandwich for school, after school snack or dinner. I can adjust the taste of this recipe by tossing the meatballs in bbq, Indian curry, thai curry, honey mustard, or any sauce and vary the flavorings within. As long as some liquid is added, the shredded cauliflower does all the work for this recipe.

As school and daily dance practice begins I’m looking for a variety of snacks that are nutrient dense and portable. What else besides, protein bars, nuts and dates, turkey sandwiches, can she take in her backpack?  Recommendations? All you soccer, gymnastics and dance moms out there, what do your kids like?

Here is an article about what ballet dancers eat. Helpful but not very portable suggestions.

Wishing all of you a wonderful week ahead,

Hungryphil